A new survey of over 2,270 parents revealed that only 13% believe they are good role models for their children’s driving skills. This research by Young Driver, the UK’s largest pre-17 driving school, has led to the launch of special refresher driving lessons for parents. Parents can also sit in on their child’s lesson to observe the instruction from qualified driving instructors. Since its inception, the program has provided 1.4 million lessons to children aged 10-17.
Lance Peake, a team manager at Young Driver, emphasizes the importance of parents modeling good driving behaviors because children start observing them from a young age. Bad habits like using a palm to steer, phone distractions, speeding, and tailgating can easily become normalized.
Young Driver surveyed 150 driving instructors to identify the top 10 bad habits learners pick up from their parents, including:
- Not following ‘mirror, signal, manoeuvre.’
- Steering with one hand or crossing hands.
- Failing to observe surroundings.
- Coasting.
- Speeding.
- Downshifting through individual gears instead of block changing.
- Not creeping and peeping at junctions.
- Riding the clutch.
- Impatience or aggression.
- Holding onto driving myths.
Parents can book a 30- or 60-minute lesson at www.youngdriver.com or by calling 0333 577 9010. One adult may accompany a young driver in the back seat.
At Young Driver, children as young as 10 learn to drive in dual-control cars. Research shows that early driver tuition can significantly reduce accident rates among newly qualified drivers.
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